Back rest



C. E. SOULE BACK REST l, 1954 2 Sheets-Shea?. l

Filed sept H115 ATTORNEY Dec. 24, v193s. Q E, SOULE 1 2,025,621

BACK REST Filed-Sept.,,1,1934 2 Sheets-,Sheet 2 Char/legs E 50de,

Patented Dec. 24, 1935 (.llialles Edward Sonie, New Buffalo, Pa.; Ella M. Soulc administratrix of said Charles.ll.

Soule, ldeceased application september 1, 1934, serial No. '142,483

10 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in chairback cushion structure. j

It is a primary object of my invention to provide la resilient back-supporting structure which is characterized by the `quality of being formfitting and affords more nearly perfect support and comfort for the back of the user.

resilient backsupporting structure which is free from padding and permits free circulation of air v' across the back of the user.

vIt is lan object of my invention to provide a filling-free wedge-type -cushion for automobile use, which cushion affords more adequate supuse.

-It is anobiect of my invention to provide a cushion of great resiliency andconformability without the use of fragile and expensive inner springs" or resilientpaddi'ng. l'

It is an object of my invention toprovide a. re-

. silient cushion, the riliency of )which may be varied to suit requirements, and(l which may be tightened should slackness vop/abbins occur v due to stretching of the fabric jacket in hard use. 30,- It is an object of my inventionto provide a resilient cushion the jacket or fabric covering of which'may be easily removed for laundering, or replacement, if worn. 4

vIt is an object of my invention to provide a resilient back support or cushion which is orf simple construction and whichmay b e fabricated at low cost. y l f Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and use will more o Y definitely appear from the detailed description'to follow. In one instance, I accomplish the objects of my'invention by the means set forth in the following speciiication. My invention is clearly' defined iti the appended claims. A structure representing the preferred embodiment of my invention in a wedge cushion for automobile use is illustrated' in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

` Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of my invention as embodied in a wedgetype cushion;

. Fig. 2is a vertical cross-sectional view, on an,

' enlarged scale, of the same cushion, the view being taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

.width and size as to conform to and support the back of the user. v

' Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the same cushion, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view, in perspective,.of the resilient frame of the same cushion; and f Fig.` 6 is a view, in perspective, of a chair 'of 5 the conventional resilient frame type having an v M inbuilt back cushion embodying my invention. Itisan object of my invention to provide a The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views.

In o broad senso, my invention is embodied 1n 1 a back rest comprising a' frame consisting of a substantially rectangular rear orjbody portion and a pair of substantially parallel, bow-shaped cantilever members, each of which lies in a plane common to the adjacent side edge of the body u portion, is rigidly attached to the body portion of the frame solely at its upper end, spaced from lthe body portion at its lower end and conforms,

generally, intermediate its ends, to thel normal curvature of the human spine, and asubstan- 9 tially rectangular fabric sheet mounted upon the cantilever members in tautly-disposed web relation thereto, which fabric member is of suchy More specifically, and with reference'to Figs. 1

to `5 of the accompanying'drawings' in which there is disclosed a detachable wedge-type cushion intended for use as an-auxiliary backrest in a vehicle seat, the preferred embodimentof my invention comprises a U-shaped frame formed of a spring steel rod having a bight portion I0, up-

standing legs terminating -in downwardly, forwardly bowed cantilever members I3 and Il of a length substantially `equal tothe length of the a5 first-half portions II and I2. The cantilever ,members I3 and Il are toed rearwardly at their lower ends I3a, Maand terminate slightly above the bight portion I0, and are spaced forwardly of the adjacent end portions of the members II and I2. The members II, I3 and the members I2, I 4, are respectively disposed in substantially common planes, and said planes are nearly parallel. having a slight tendency to converge tos ward their upperends. A stay member I 5, the ends of which are slightly notched, engages and bridges the members I I and' I! and, by reason of the slight convergency thereof, will,-when vertically shiftedft'o.- various horizontal positions, 50

vary the spacing of the members IIVand I! and the flexibility of the frame as a whole, thus affording adjustability of the resistance' o f the members Il and Il to inwardl fiexure. A flat tubular, porous fabric jacket Il having a width mbotonuouyoquoltotnatortnonomanm or slipped upon the cantilever members I3 and I4 and also upon leg portions II and I2, so that when assembled thereon, the 'fabric member has the form, roughly, of an inverted U. The fabric member I6 thus constitutes a web across the cantilever members I3 and Il, which web, though taut, will, in use, conform to the longitudinal and lateral curvature of the back of the user and I3 and I4, so that the cushion will not have too .great springiness, an extension I1 is provided at the Aforward lower end of the fabric jacket, which extension I1 is provided with snap fasteners I1, whichV engage complementary elements I9 se# cured to the other or bight-adjacent end of the fabric member. The length of the extension I1, and the position of the fasteners Iland I9., is such that it is necessaryto rearwardly flex the cantilever members I3 and I4 inY order to bring the` fastening elements Iland I9 into association. 'Ihe fastening of the flap I1 to the rear portion of the jacket I 6, thus described, is best shown inFig. 2, and provides, in addition to the initial tensioning ofthe cantilever members I3 and Il, the appearance, in vthe jacket I6 and the flap I1, of a continuous band. In order to per- `mit th'e `taking up of any slack which may occur in the portion of the jacket forming the web between the cantilever members I3 and I4, due to prolongedsevere use, a plurality of straps 20 are provided, which straps are secured to the Jacket I6 by stitched stripsZI. Buckles 22,` of conven- .tional form, are provided upon the ends of one seriesof the straps 20 so that adjustment of the effective length of the straps 20 may be readily effected and tautness providedin the forward t n wm bemd that the mensa strips 2| ex# tend only partially across the side openings of the device, with the result that, when the device is used in anautomobile in the fashion of the conventional wedge cushion, air entering through the adjacent window of the vehicle may readily circulate through the side openings and between 1 the front and. rear portions ofthe jacket II. Jacket I6, as has been stated, is formed of porous fabric and, by reason of the circulation of air through the cushion thus described, the user enjoys the sensation of coolness resulting from the evaporation of any perspiration that may` be present upon his back. The sensation is much like that experienced when rubbing down with when associated with the back, is conducive 'to proper seating posture. experience fatigue after several hours of driving Persons who normally invariably find that, with the present back rest.

, fatigue does not occur even after many hours.

Conformity to thev lateral and 'longitudinal curvature of the user's back is effected by vthe -f vehicle.

curved fabric sheet I3 in dishing rearwardly, and the spaced resilient cantilever member I3, Il in flexing inwardly toward each other as well as rearwardly toward the members II and I2 of the frame. Where the cantilever members I3 5 and Il are integral with the members Il and I2 of the rear portion of the frame, a considerable portion of the mentioned inward exing of the members I3 and Il toward each other is effected or permitted by torsion in the members u) I I and I2. I regard the said inward iiexing and torsion to be a salient distinguishing feature of my invention.

Another importantadvantage of the device results from the fact that the jacket I6 is readily 15 removable merely by detaching fasteners I8, I9, and slipping the jacket from the frame. The jacket may then be washed much inthe same way as a pillow case and, if badly soiled or worn. may be replaced at low cost. Apart from the 20 fact that after long use the jacket may become worn, the deviceis indestructible. While the device may be made up in numerous sizes, it has been found that a frame approximately 16" square having a maximum spacing between the canti- 25 lever members and the bodyportion of the frame of 4%", and a spacing between the ends of the cantilever members and the bight portionrof 21A will, in the case of frame stock, provide a standard article adapted for use by individuals 30 of a wide range of weight and size. Adjustment afforded by the stay I5 and the straps and buckles 20,122, afford tension changes sufficient to meet individual requirements of any normal person.

Various materials maybe employed for the 35 terial such as commonly employed for automobilevseat covers will also serve. If desiredta jacket of two-ply construction may be used, the 4o inner ply being of a relatively strong material and the outer `ply being of a lighter material bearing any appropriate pattern, for example one matching that employed in the upholstery of the 45 I am aware that my invention is susceptible of embodiment in numerous forms and that, while I have disclosed its preferred embodiment in a wedge-type supplemental vehicle cushion, it may, of course, be embodied as an integralportion ,of a chair or the like. For example, in Fig. y6. I have illustrated a chair of the non,upi,1olstered,` resilient frame type generally similar to that disclosed in Nolan Patent No. 1,491,918 and provided with an integral backrest embodying my invention. Inasmuch as the speciiic cushion-back structure forming a part of the chair illustrated in this figure of the drawings is substantially identical with that illustrated in Figs. lto 5 inclusive, and the frame structureof the chair itself is well fknown in the art; it need only be mentioned that any conventional method, fonexample welding,

may be employed to render the cushion proper integral with the chair frame. I therefore claim my invention broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

i. A chair-back cushion structure comprising: a frame consisting of a substantially vertical l body member and a pair of spaced, substantially parallel, forwardly and downwardly extending bow-shaped resilient cantilever members attached at their upper extremities to said body member and having their iowerportions free to flex inwardly toward each other and rearwardiytoward said body member, and a flexible fabric sheet mounted upon said spaced cantilever members in tautly-disposed web relation thereto and adapted to conform to the lateral and longitudinal curvature of the human back through the joint A oilices ofsaid sheet in dishing and said cantilever members in flexing inwardly and rearwardly.

2. A chair-back cushion structure comprising: a frame consisting of a substantially vertical body member and a pair of spaced, independently sprung, substantially parallel, forwardly and downwardly extending bow-shaped cantilever members attached at their upper endsk to said bo/dy member and having theirl lower portions free and independently lflexible rearwardly toward said body member, and a flexible fabric sheetmounted upon said spaced cantilever members in tautly-disposed web relation thereto and adapted to conform to the lateral and longitudinal curvature of the human back through the joint ofiices of said sheet in dishing and said cantilever members in independently flexing.

3. A chair-back cushion structure comprising a frame consisting of a one-piece U-shaped member of resilient metal, the last-half portions of the legs of which are doubled back upon the firsthalf portions of said legs to constitute a pair of forwardly and downwardly extending bow-shaped cantilever members substantially parallel to each rectangular fabric sheet mounted upon said cantilever members in web relation thereto, and a stay bridging said first-half leg portions, said stay being adjustable to vary the spacing between said first-half leg portions and vary the tension of said fabric sheet.-

4. A chair-back cushion structure comprising a frame consisting of a one-piece U-shaped member of resilient metal, the last-half portions of the legs of which are doubled back upon the firsthalf portions of said legs to constitute a pair of forwardly and downwardly extending bow-shaped cantilever members in alinement, with said firsthalf portions of said legs, said Afirst-hall! portions of said legs being spaced from'each other at their lower ends a distance slightly lgreater than their spacing at their upper ends, said cantilever members being supported solely at their upper ends,

being spaced from said first-half portions at their lower ends, and conforming, generally, intermediate their upper and lower ends, to the ynormal curvaturev of the human spine, a substantially rectangular fabric sheet mounted upon said can-y vature yieldably displaceable rearwardly toward said vertical body member, and a flexible fabric sheet mounted upon said lower portions of maximum curvature and maintained thereby in tautlydisposed, correspondingly curved, web formation conformant to the lateral and longitudinal curvature of the small" of the human back through the joint oflices of said sheet in dishing and said i cantilever members in flexing.

6. A chair-back cushion structure comprising: a frame consisting of a substantially vertical rear or body portion having substantially parallel torsion members defining the side edges thereof, and a forward portion constituted by a lpair of substantially parallel, bow-shaped, resilient cantilever members the uppermost portion of each of which is rearwardly curved into a bight integrally attached to the upper end of one of said torsion members, the lower portion of each of which cantilever members isv rearwardly curved, spaced from said body portion,'and freely displaceable with respect to its mate and said body portion, and a flexible fabric sheet mountedk upon said so spaced cantilever members and adapted to receive and conform to the lateral and longitudinal curvature of the human back through the joint ofiices of said sheet in dishing, said cantilever members in exing, and said torsion members in al twisting about their axes.

7. A chair having a seat portion and an upstanding, rearwardly-inclined resilient back, said back comprising body members extending upwardly from the rear of said seat portion,` a pair 80 of spaced, substantially parallel, forwardly and downwardly extending resilient cantilever mem bers attached at their upper ends to said bodyk member and having their lower portions terminating well above said seat portion and flexible 36 rearwardly toward said body member while maintaining spaced relation with said seat portion, and a flexible fabric sheet mounted upon said spaced cantilever members in tautly-'disposed web formation providing an upstanding, o slightly rearwardly inclined surface receptive of, 'and resiliently conformant to, the lateral and longitudinal curvature of the small" portion of the human back.

-8. -A chair having a seat portion and an ups standing, rearwardlyinclined resilient back, said back comprising a body member extending upwardly from the rearl of `said seat portion, a pair of spaced, substantially parallel, forwardly and downwardly extending resilient cantilever members independently sprung at their upper ends upon said body member and having unconnected lower portions freely and independently flexible inwardly toward each other and rearwardly toward said body member, and a flexible fabric sheet mounted upon said spaced cantilever members in tautly-disposed web formation providing an upstanding, slightly rearwardly inclined surface receptive of, and conformant to the lateral and longitudinal curvature of the human back.

9. A chair-back cushion structure comprising n a frame having a rear or body portion of which is substantially rectangular, and a forward vportion constituted by a pair of substantially parallel bow-shaped, resilient cantilever members each of vwhich lies in a plane common to the adjacentside edge of said body portion, is rigidly attached to said body portion solely at its upper end, spaced fromsaid body portion at its lower end, and conforms, generally, intermediate its ends, to the 7o normal curvature of the human spine, a flat, porous tubular fabric jacket slipped upon said body portion and said cantilever members, tautly webbing the latter for the full extent thereof yet allowing free transverse circulation of air 1s 10. A wedge cushion for use as an auxiliary cushion in vehicle seats comprising: a frame consisting of a one-piece U-shaped member of resilient metal, the iirst-half portions of the legs of which are substantially parallel and the bight portion of which is substantially straight and square therewith, constituting a base for supporting the cushion upon the seat cushion of the vehicle, the last-half portions of the legs of which are doubled back upon the mst-half portions to constitute a pair of forwardlyr and downwardly extending bow-shaped cantilever members supported solely at their upper ends, teramasar minating above said bightportion in rearwardlytoed portions spaced from said nrst-halfleg portions, and conforming, generally, intermediate their upper ends and said toed portions. to the normalv curvature of the human spine, a nat,

porous tubular fabric jacket slipped upon said body portion and said cantilever members. tautiy webbing the latter for the full extent thereof yet allowing free circulation of air between the cantilever webbing and the body 4portion of said 10 maintaininglsaid cantilever members under ini- 15 tial tension. f l

l, CHARLES El.' BOULE 

